The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India have found many faults with the food serving system in the Indian Railways.

The CAG audit noticed that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at catering units at stations and in trains.

The audit report prepared by CAG on the catering services in the Indian Railways, tabled in the Parliament on Friday, has observed that foods served in the trains and stations are unsuitable for human consumption. Majority of the foodstuffs are contaminated, recycled, packaged and bottled items past their shelf life and unauthorized brands of water bottles were offered for sale at stations which don’t maintain the basic requirements of safety and hygiene.

On a joint inspection of the CAG team and the railways at 74 railway stations and 80 trains across the country, the audit noticed that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at catering units at stations and in trains. Also bills are not being issued for the food items served in trains, besides several deficiencies in food quality.

Also, it was found that unpurified water, straight from tap was used in preparation of tea, coffee, juices and other beverages. Waste bins were not found covered, not emptied regularly and not washed, food stuff were not covered to protect them from flies, insects and dust, rats and cockroaches were found in trains etc.